FOUR people have been suspended from Darlington kitchen manufacturers Magnet following an internal investigation.

The factory workers were suspended on Tuesday from the Allington Way site, a spokesman for the company confirmed yesterday.

"Magnet has been conducting an internal investigation into stock discrepancies and as a result of this investigation a number of employees have been suspended," he said.

"Ongoing investigations are continuing and we are not able to make any further comment."

It is believed only two people were suspended in relation to stock discrepancies but that the checks uncovered an employee with cannabis in their locker and another who was under the influence of alcohol.

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "We aren't investigating any reports of crime at Magnet but we are aware of the internal investigation."